ANNUAL REPORT. 



149 



Mr. H. W. Collingwood, editor of the Rural Neiv-Yorker, 

 folloAved Mr. Hale. He said : We are changing our plans in 

 fruit growing and this season arc forcibly reminded that we 

 do not know it all yet. We cannot stick to one rule or method 

 year after year. Each must change to meet his own peculiar 

 conditions. It's a wise man who sees when to change and does 

 it. Our friend Hale may yet become a believer in the "Mulch 

 System." 



An orchard is the best monument a man can leave behind him. 

 Aim to make your farms better. "Save a farm and save a boy" 

 is his principle. 



Following Mr. Collingwood's very pleasant address, the 

 President called on A. W. Patch, the well-known Boston com- 

 mission merchant. 



Mr. Patch said he was glad to be there. Brother Hale is a 

 friend to us all. He is a pioneer and goes ahead in fruit work 

 and then others reap the benefits of his experimenting. 



The apple market and the ver}^ high prices just now prevail- 

 ing in Boston was referred to by the speaker. Even immature 

 Baldwins and Ben Davis are being picked for export. Mr. 

 Patch predicted that the box as a selling package for the 

 apple will be a big thing within the next ten years. 



The Apple Shippers" Association estimates that the apple 

 crop of the country will be as large as last 3^ear's and the 

 quality, Mr. Patch thought, would be much better. Many 

 growers present criticised this statement, declaring that the 

 crop would not be more than half that of 1902. 



Hon. Geo. T. Powell of New York was the next speaker. 

 He said he was in full sympathy with the purposes of ■ such 

 meetings as this. 



This is a hard season for the farmer. Still there are blessings 

 to be counted even in so discouraging a year. 



Such a season as this will knock theories all to pieces. We 

 must learn to adjust ourselves to changing conditions. 



Mr. Powell told of the work on his own fruit farm in New 

 York State. He follows the use of clover in his orchards and 

 it is especially valuable in seasons of extreme drouth followed 

 by heavy rainfall. The trees are doing well, although little 

 fruit will be harvested this vear. 



